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azul01 · Apr 16, 2009, 02:13 PM

I just used ( Just For Men ) hair color to hide the grey last Sunday and by Tuesday my scalp had an allergic reaction.

My scalp became light red & itchy I never used this product before. Is there an over the counter shampoo or topical solution I can use to heal the itchiness & redness to my scalp?

Perito · Apr 17, 2009, 07:01 AM

The compound in haircoloring that most people are sensitive to is p-phenylenediamine (PPD). If it's been a few days since you used the product, then antihistamines probably won't do any good now. You'll just have to wait until it heals.

NancyPeters · Apr 20, 2009, 08:39 PM

I think you should just wait a while and let your scalp heal. Maybe stick to all-natural shampoos for a bit and hold off on the conditioner and styling products.

jce1968 · May 16, 2009, 09:30 AM

I'm in the same boat and did some research on PPD's. This is definitely a reaction to these types of chemicals and there is help.

Check out this link... Hair Dye Allergies | Current Health Articles 2009

It says that hydrogen peroxide will neutralize (oxidize) the PPD which, so far, has stopped the burn and itch on my face and temples, the puffiness still remains, but I think I may be on the road to recovery. Hopefully without having to wait weeks for the chems to dissipate and re-aggravate the affected areas again.

Good luck!

jce1968 · May 18, 2009, 12:58 PM

UPDATE----- The peroxide burns like a bastard, but it has worked so far. The foamy white patches turned to light crusty "scabs" which fell off on their own the following day. The itch is gone with the exception of a minor episode after smoking a cigaratte and leaving it in my mouth too long when my hands were busy. The affected area is still slightly pink, but the swelling is all but gone and I'm hoping to be finished with this allergic reaction to Just for Men in a day or two.

Perito · May 18, 2009, 02:52 PM

Don't try to color your hair again. PPD allergies don't go away -- but they will get worse.

jce1968 · May 18, 2009, 06:52 PM

Yeah, I know. I used it for close to a month before I started having a reaction. I decided to try it again and then dose my face with benedryl to keep the reaction down. It didn't work and was worse this time around. Thank god I found that article in the link I posted previously, the peroxide seems to have shortened the amonut of time that the itching and burning lasted. The redness has receded to pink but much closer to my normal skin tone. I'm figuring tomorrow will I'll be back to normal. Hopefully.

lolls · Jun 17, 2009, 11:39 PM

I just got a bad allergic reaction to a black hair dye. It started with the same lump and almost a week later I had to go to the dermatologist for a cortizone shot.

The Doctor said it can take up to 7 days for your body to react to a new allergy.

Do you have an itchy scalp? Is your scalp wet like an open wound? Do you have lumps under your skin on the back of your had and neck?

If so go buy a Peppermint Oil based leave in conditioner and leave it on your hair after you shower. It will help you make it through the night without itching. You can leave it in during the day to if you wear a head wrap or bandana.

And call a dermatologist to get a shot. My reaction took over a week in a half to develop so catch it before it gets worse.

jce1968 · Jun 18, 2009, 05:30 AM

Hey lolls,
Yes, I did have the same type of reaction and now that you've gotten it, it will only happen faster if you use the dye again, that's how it worked for me.(I went from weeks, to days, to hours for the reaction to appear)

Don't use the stuff again. I had the lumps and bumps on my face and sideburn area. The lesions under the hairline were much larger and oozed more than the ones on my face.

My Doctor gave me a cortisone based cream which had no effect for me until I used Hydrogen Peroxide to neutralize the PPD'S.

FYI-my face was completely healed 2 days after my last post on 5/19/2009.